Eddy Waddell dictated his life story to staff at Choices and submitted the following piece to the Driftwood for publication.

My name is Eddy Waddell. I’d like to tell you a little about my life. I was born in 1941.

When I was five years old I fell off a teeter totter and injured my head badly. I couldn’t walk and my right arm no longer worked properly.

I wore a brace on my right leg for 16 years. When I was 21 the brace was removed and I was able to walk again. I wear a lift in my boot to help my legs be a similar length.

After my fall I started having seizures. This lasted until I was 19 years old and I had an operation where a steel plate was put in my head. I have been seizure free since.

After my accident my parents sent me to an institution-like care facility in Burnaby, B.C. I lived in such facilities until I was 21 years old. These facilities did not support my individuality or independence.

I got my first taste of independence when I moved into a group home in Duncan at the age of 22. There I was eventually granted freedom to pursue things I liked to do like go for coffee by myself.

I got to visit my grandfather when I lived in Duncan as he moved into a care home across the street from me. I had visited my grandparents a few times while growing up. My grandfather used to work as a maintenance man in a high school in Vancouver. He taught me how to mow a lawn.

I have been in phone contact with my sister for a number of years. I went to Prince George to visit her a few years ago. I can no longer talk to her as she has moved into a care home. I don’t feel like my health will allow me the long bus journey to visit her.

I saw my mother once before she died. I was grateful for that experience. My father and his wife visited me once in Duncan. They asked me if I wanted to move in with them. I said no.

I want people to know something about me. I don’t like to be labelled “handicapped.” I protested the use of the word “handicap” in the government until it was changed. That word is hurtful. I feel I’m a person like anyone else. Yes, I have special needs, and they need to be addressed, but not labelled.

Sometimes people talk so fast it’s hard for me to understand them. It’s better for me when people speak slower. Sometimes I talk too fast as well. I need to slow down so others can understand me.

I’ve lived in a few places over the years. When I lived in Burnaby I worked in a greenhouse learning how to grow flowers. It was full-time work, 9 to 4, five days a week. I still love flowers. I planted a rose bush outside my home last year. I put a net over it to protect it from the deer. I hope to have roses next year.

When I moved to Salt Spring I met and moved in with Dot. She was like a stepmother to me. We lived together for 30 years. Dot taught me how to cook. She was very supportive of me. I did things for her too like washing her car and mowing the lawn. Dot bought me an electric lawnmower. I loved it. She encouraged me to cut lawns for employment. I had a few customers who relied on me to take care of their lawns for the summer. I would walk all over the island to get to work. I was proud of the job I did and my employers were pleased with my work. I’ve worked at Thrifty’s and GVM, as well as at Mouat’s and Grace Point Square as a maintenance man.

After Dot died I moved to a few different places on the island, living semi-independently. Two years ago I moved into my current home at Pioneer Village. I live alone and I enjoy it. I have a homemaker come in once a week for a couple of hours to help with my laundry and cleaning.

You might see me walking into town. I walk in almost every morning around 6 a.m. I enjoy going to TJ Beans for coffee and once a week I eat breakfast there too. I know a number of people on the island and I love to say hello and chat. I would like more of a social life. Every now and then I enjoy a lunch or dinner at Harbour House or the Salt Spring Inn with my good friend Terry Swing.

I need to watch what I eat now as I had developed Type II diabetes. My friend Heather found me unconscious on my bathroom floor. I was sent to Victoria where I spent a few days in the hospital before returning to Lady Minto Hospital. That’s how I found out I have diabetes. It isn’t much fun. I go to my doctor once every two weeks so I can have my blood sugar levels checked. I’ve had to change my diet and start taking pills. It’s under control now.

Salt Spring is my home. I attend a turkey dinner feast every Christmas at All Saints By-the-Sea church. I also go to Lorraine Machell’s house for Christmas dinner every year if the weather permits.

A highlight for me was a surprise birthday party my friends held for me when I turned 65.

I like to be involved in my community. One thing I did that I’m proud of is taking a first aid course. I’d like to be able to help anyone if they are in need.

I would love to go off island sometimes to Duncan or Victoria and learn how to take the buses independently. I feel like my world would open up if I did that.

I want people to know I’m a friendly and approachable guy. If you ever want to visit with me or ask me any questions, let me know. I want to dispel people’s fears of “special needs” and let everyone know I’m just a regular person, like you.